My Class Requirement Turned Into A Lifelong Passion For Non-Profits

Declaring my minor in special education just a few months ago was probably one of the best decisions I've made since becoming a college student two years ago. Every single class that I took furthered my interest even more in this area of education with so many layers that I never even knew existed. As a requirement for my minor, I had to take a class titled "Service Learning" which I didn't think much of, to begin with, but grew to adore overtime. This class challenged me to find a community need in Tucson to attend to and volunteer for the semester.

While researching different non-profit organizations I came across two that caught my eye immediately. The first one was (NAMI), The National Alliance on Mental Illness and the second one was Tu Nidito for children and families dealing with bereavement and serious illness. At The National Alliance on Mental Illness, I ran a hotline to answer phone calls for people in desperate need of advocates or groups to attend. That volunteering experience truly made me realize the importance of a community need and why we all need to be active in whatever community we reside in.

After finishing up my time at NAMI, I became a part of Tu Nidito, an organization that assists families and children with grieving or serious illness. This volunteer experience started out as something temporary which shortly became permanent. Being able to speak to children who are hurting at such a young age could be extremely difficult, but seeing how they express themselves and find comfort in speaking with someone just a little bit older is such a rewarding feeling.

Last summer I took an internship with a company that treated me as if I was part of their tight-knit family which was the best feeling. We were able to excel in assisting non-profit organizations with starting up and getting funding from different types of sponsors in the community. As a marketing and social media intern, I was able to see the growth within our own company as well as the individual non-profits that would come to us for assistance. It was unbelievable to step into their organizations and be a part of something much bigger than myself.

If you asked me a year ago today, I would have never expected to be in the position that I'm in right now. This unbelievable world of growth and dedication never even crossed my mind as a first semester sophomore in college. It wasn't until I realized that every community has a need that it became so much clearer to me this would be a decision that would change my life, and it did. No matter where I end up across the globe, I will always be involved with an organization that serves a community. It's difficult to remember a day that I didn't know about non-profits or how important they are to keep the world around us together.

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

10 Things Someone Who Grew Up In A Private School Knows

1. Uniforms

Plaid. The one thing that every private school-goer knows all too well. It was made into jumpers, skirts, shorts, scouts, hair ties, basically anything you could imagine, the school plaid was made into. You had many different options on what to wear on a normal day, but you always dreaded dress uniform day because of skirts and ballet flats. But it made waking up late for school a whole lot easier.

2. New people were a big deal

New people weren't a big thing. Maybe one or two a year to a grade, but after freshman year no one new really showed up, making the new kid a big deal.

3. You've been to school with most of your class since Kindergarten

Most of your graduating class has been together since Kindergarten, maybe even preschool, if your school has it. They've become part of your family, and you can honestly say you've grown up with your best friends.

4. You've had the same teachers over and over

Having the same teacher two or three years in a row isn't a real surprise. They know what you are capable of and push you to do your best.

5. Everyone knows everybody. Especially everyone's business.

Your graduating class doesn't exceed 150. You know everyone in your grade and most likely everyone in the high school. Because of this, gossip spreads like wildfire. So everyone knows what's going on 10 minutes after it happens.

6. Your hair color was a big deal

If it's not a natural hair color, then forget about it. No dyeing your hair hot pink or blue or you could expect a phone call to your parents saying you have to get rid of it ASAP.

7. Your school isn't like "Gossip Girl"

There is no eating off campus for lunch or casually using your cell phone in class. Teachers are more strict and you can't skip class or just walk right off of campus.

8. Sports are a big deal

Your school is the best of the best at most sports. The teams normally go to the state championships. The rest of the school that doesn't play sports attends the games to cheer on the teams.

9. Boys had to be clean-shaven, and hair had to be cut

If you came to school and your hair was not cut or your beard was not shaved, you were written up and made to go in the bathroom and shave or have the head of discipline cut your hair. Basically, if you know you're getting written up for hair, it's best just to check out and go get a hair cut.

10. Free dress days were like a fashion show

Wearing a school uniform every day can really drive you mad. That free dress day once a month is what you lived for. It was basically a fashion show for everyone, except for those upperclassmen who were over everything and just wore sweat pants.

Academics and Creativity Conflicts

As students, we are heavily focused on academics. Some of us may also be heavily focused on athletics. Anything that helps or is integrated into our academic careers has a way of controlling how we live our daily life. We go to class, we study and do homework, we attend activities/work, and then we most likely have little time to relax.

One thing that seems to lack in the academic world is creativity. Many students may say "Well, I'm not creative." Why have students subjected themselves to being uncreative individuals? How does someone define "creativity" as the verbatim definition across the world? Creativity can be used widely if we are aware of how it can be done.

In the classroom, students can find creative ways to approach a debate, a different way of understanding a topic, changing the argument and allowing different perspectives and voices to be heard, and so much more.

Students can find different ways of changing the issues our communities may face such as homelessness, segregated communities, etc.

Organizations can be created to fill in the gaps our communities may have (including in a university).

Students can remain to do creative activities such as crafts, writing, art, etc. This can be done within different organizations or in the comfort of the student's home.

There are different platforms that encourage creativity like photoshop, video editing software, websites like Wattpad to create and share your own stories, and more.

We cannot let academics take over every moment of our lives. It can easily result in a point where we have no motivation to do anything at all because we are in a constant routine that can drain us. We are more than school, although it is still very important. If we shall succeed, we have to embrace the things we love to do and not forget about who we are.